Setting up a solid team has many strategies, namely where you allocate your budget. Here are your best options for between the posts.
The World Cup is about to begin and as the D Day to close your squad for GW1 is nearing, we’ll take a dive into the player pool, one position at a time, to give you the best options in all price ranges. Let’s start with the Goalkeepers.
THE HEAVY-HITTERS
Two Latin options that face each other in Group B, David De Gea (6.5M) and Rui Patrício (6.0M) play against Tunisia and Iran in rounds 2 and 3, and are two of the best bets available in the group stage.
The current European champion is currently under auction and will take advantage of the World Cup’s spotlight to raise the bidding. Patrício managed 7 clean sheets in the qualifiers, trailing only Sommer (Switzerland), and conceded only 4 goals. On the other corner, the Man United goalkeeper had a dream season for his club, at least statistically, and ensured a “cleanie” in 2/3 of the qualifying games, allowing only 3 goals in the 9 games he played.
Regarding “Saves Made”, the Portuguese had one every 75 minutes against De Gea’s 68 minutes for each save. This way, clean sheets become essential for good scoring outputs. Looking at the profile of their coaches, we bet on, at least, two clean sheets in the first three games.
THE AFFORDABLES
Also conceding only three goals in Qualifying (but in 10 games), Jordan Pickford (5.5M) is a key-player in England’s attempt to erase their latest World Cup performances. Getting off the blocks with a double-header against Tunisia and Panama is a divine combo, which should not be ignored.
Another budget option is Danijel Subašić (5.5M), from Croatia. The Monaco goalkeeper is another contender for at least two clean sheets in the group stage, especially going against Iceland and Nigeria. As for the game with Argentina, the group’s top-seed, the low offensive efficiency of the Argentines (8%) may earn Subašić some extra points with Saves, even if Croatia ends up conceding goals.
THE LOW-COST OPTIONS
With 28 goals conceded and a single clean sheet during qualifying, it may seem strange to go forward with Pedro Gallese (4.5M), but the truth is that “cleanies” are not be be expected from 4.5M goalkeepers. Here, we’re only looking for the extra points for every two saves. The Peruvian has an average of 1 save every 25 minutes, thus becoming the perfect shot-stopper for any Fantasy team.
Iceland’s Hannes Halldórsson (4.5M) allowed only five goals in a very difficult qualifying group, facing fierce sides like Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey. He boasts an average of 30min per save. To take note of: the high percentage of shots from outside the area, about 70% of total shots conceded by the Icelandic, always a good sign to accumulate those easier saves that also score points.
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